Are you planning a Big Island family vacation? Find out where to stay on the Big Island with kids for your perfect Hawaii vacation!
This list of where to stay on the Big Island with kids contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
The island of Hawaii is known as the Big Island, impressively outsizing the other islands of Hawaii by 2x.
It’s no wonder that it’s a destination spot for solo and family vacations alike.
However, its array of options in places to stay and even beaches on every edge of the island to visit can make planning a vacation difficult.
We’ve explored some of the Best Things to Do on the Big Island With Kids as well as a few top choices for resorts.
Today, we’re diving a bit deeper into hotel options on various areas and beaches of the island of Hawaii. You’ll want to know this if you’re visiting the Big Island with kids.
Keep scrolling to find out where to stay on the Big Island with kids that are totally worth it! And if you’re looking for places for larger groups, check out these incredible Hawaii villas.
Don’t have time to read a bunch of Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting the Big Island with kids.
Best Kid-Friendly Big Island Tours/Activities
- Swim with Dolphins (this is a unique experience for kids of all ages)
- Private Surf Lessons for Kids (this is the BEST way for your kids to learn how to surf in Hawaii)
- Kona Submarine Tour (my kids love seeing sunken shipwrecks)
- Legends of Hawaii Luau (the is the most popular luau for families)
- Waterfall Ziplining (this is the top kid-friendly zipline on the Big Island for families)
- Kona ATV Tour (we love this one because they also do cultural activities)
Best Kid-Friendly Big Island Resorts
- Hilton Waikoloa Village (this is a mega kid-friendly resort where you can swim with dolphins or just enjoy their massive pool area)
- Courtyard by Marriott’s King Kamehameha Beach Hotel (this is a moderately-priced Kona hotel right on a little lagoon)
- Fairmont Orchid (this is a swanky resort with incredible kids’ programming and an awesome pool area)
Want to Rent a Car in Hawaii?
One of the best places to rent a car in Hawaii is Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they get the best rates from top national companies like Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and Payless.
Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Big Island Itinerary complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.
Big Island with Kids FAQs
Most travel experts will say the best area to stay on the Big Island of Hawaii is the Kona side. That’s because it has most of the resorts and lots of food options. But, there’s also the Hilo side if you’re looking for a more laid back experience. Read more about where to stay on the Big Island: Hilo or Kona?
There are lots of things to do in Kona with kids. You can go snorkeling, see the sunrise at Mauna Kea, tour a farm, go in a real submarine, hit the beach, swim with Manta Rays, check out a luau, and so much more!
Absolutely! It’s the best place in Hawaii to see real lava, plus you can walk through lava tubes, go hiking, and all kinds of things. It’s a full day trip, so you can either drive over from your resort or spend a night or two inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Where to Stay on the Big Island of Hawaii
If you’re heading to the Big Island with kids, you might feel overwhelmed with all the various Big Island resorts. Here are a few of our top recommendations!
Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
The Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel is located right at the end of Ali’i Drive in the heart of downtown Kailua-Kona. You can read my full review here.
This is an awesome place to stay in Kona with kids because it’s a beachfront hotel on a small, calm lagoon that is perfect for swimming. Check the latest rates and availability.
There are some on-site restaurants as well as Ululani Shave Ice, which is one of the best places for shave ice in Kona.
It’s also just steps away from the pier where you can experience the Kona Atlantis Submarine or the Kona Glassbottom boat ride.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is located on the northwest side of the island of Hawaii, close to the Kukio Golf and Beach Club and only a few blocks away from the ocean. It’s definitely one of the best places to stay in Big Island Hawaii.
This resort is surrounded by black lava landscapes and sandy beaches. Check latest rates and more information.
This is one of the most luxurious places to stay in all of Hawaii and has a multitude of wedding planning and ceremony options.
The resort strives to offer a Hawaiian tradition-inspired stay. This hotel is located in Ka’upulehu, which was once an ancient Hawaiian fishing village. Four Seasons aims to create a welcoming stay that respects the value of land and sea.
The resort also has resources for you to book a snorkeling lesson with a marine biologist in the hotel’s lava rock aquarium. At over 1.8 million gallons large, the aquarium also hosts over 4,000 tropical fish and 98 species of marine life.
Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay
The Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa (formerly the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa) at Keauhou Bay is located on the west side of the Big Island. Check latest rates and more information.
On the Kona coast, you’ll be able to view manta ray feeding grounds and gain access to Kona Coffee farms.
The resort boasts a multi-level fantasy pool that is open 24/7. Perfect for kids! Looking to take some of the burdens of planning out of the mix?
Enjoy manta ray viewings, yoga, lei making, hula lessons, and more all on the Sheraton grounds. With a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean, you can enjoy oceanfront services and outdoor treatment rooms.
The resort is also home to Rays on the Bay, a restaurant with delicious dining and live entertainment.
The Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa is one of the best places to stay on the Big Island of Hawaii with kids.
Mauna Kea Resort Area
The Mauna Kea Resort area is also spouted as one of the best hotel locations in Hawaii. And it’s home to two of the best hotels in Kona for families.
Located on the northwest side of the island of Hawaii, these resort grounds actually host both the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.
While the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel focuses on an elegant, historical feel, the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort strives for a more modern appeal.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel prides itself in having a timeless appeal, offering swimming with manta ray experiences. Art showcases and tennis by the sea. Check latest rates and more information about the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort stretches across the shoreline and offers manicured gardens and four dining venues on-site. Check latest rates and more information about the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.
The 18-hole Hapuna Golf Course has won numerous awards and is a great place for adults to relax and practice.
No matter the branch you choose, the Mauna Kea Resort Area remains one of the best for easy northern beach access and amenities.
The Grand Naniloa Hotel
The Grand Naniloa Hotel is a Hilton property, so if you’re a rewards member, this is a great choice to use or save on points. Check latest rates and more information.
Located on the east side of the island of Hawaii, this hotel is located in Hilo, one of the most populated towns on the island.
This hotel excels in wedding planning, with an on-site gazebo and banquet facilities. Included with the resort fee is a daily snorkel rental for two guests, and even two complimentary cocktails for guests of age daily.
While those options might not be the best for kids, the resort is also a 10-minute drive away from Wailuku River State Park. At the state park, you can explore geologic wonders along the Wailuku River.
While the Boiling Pots area of the park contains connected pools, Rainbow Falls is a famous 80-foot waterfall. If you’re lucky, you just might catch that early morning rainbow through the mist.
Dolphin Bay Hotel
The Dolphin Bay Hotel is also located on the east side of the island of Hawaii in Hilo. This is a great alternative in the area if you’re looking for a smaller resort with all the comforts. Check latest rates and more information.
This hotel is rated the best small hotel in Hilo, this stay lacks larger attractions such as pools, but hosts a beautiful garden full of exotic orchids, plumeria, and more.
Promoting itself as a comfy stay for travelers by day, the Dolphin Bay Hotel remains a great option for those looking to explore more of Hilo’s downtown area over staying inside their resort.
It’s also relatively affordable, which can help keep travel with kids on a tighter budget without diminishing the fun.
Volcano House in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Want to know where to stay on Big Island that isn’t a fancy resort and is totally unique?
The Volcano House resort is located inside the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the southeast side of the island. And it’s one of the coolest places to stay on the Big Island with kids. Check latest rates and more information.
Keep in mind that this location is rather in-land compared to beach resorts, but offers incomparable proximity to the park and the volcano Kīlauea.
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park hosts volcanology exhibits and viewpoints. Staying at the Volcano House will give you perfect viewing access to the Halem’a’uma’u crater.
The resort has been renovated, with 33 total historic guest rooms and refurbished camper cabins nearby. You can read my full review HERE.
If the beach isn’t for you, Volcano House is a great location to dig deeper into hiking and outside options in Hawaii without sand between your toes. It’s the best place to stay on Big Island Hawaii if you love outdoor adventures.
Where to Stay on the Big Island with Kids
When it comes to choosing a place (or places!) to stay on the Big Island, it’s hard to go wrong.
First, decide which side of the island is a must-visit on your list and narrow your choices down to those with amenities most loved by you and your kids.
Hopefully, this post helps you figure out where to stay on the Big Island in Hawaii. From Big Island Hawaii family resorts to unique accommodations, we have you covered.
For more advice on making this decision, give my article 10 Things to Know BEFORE Planning a Hawaii Big Island Vacation a read.
Looking for more Big Island Travel Resources? Find out what to know before your Big Island vacation, where to find an affordable Kona family photographer, should you rent a pool cabana, the best Big Island luaus, things to do in Kona, and things to do in Hilo!
P.S. Join our Hawaii Travel with Kids Facebook group to get connected with other families planning a trip to Hawaii!
